Carol Thomas (center) of Saginaw was crowned Ms. Senior Michigan 2014. She is pictured with runner-ups Linda Glisman (left) of Rochester and Sherry Resigh of Oxford. Photo by Judy Passon

Carol Thomas of Saginaw won the title of Ms. Senior Michigan pageant at the Older Persons Commission in Rochester.

Thomas is no stranger to beauty pageants. In 1988, she was named Mrs. Michigan.

After she was crowned Wednesday night, Thomas said, “Dreams do come true; this is surreal. I now have the platform to reach our elders and as many people as possible.”

“My love is to educate and make our seniors more aware, impact lives and to leave a legacy of love. Beauty truly ripens with age.”

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Linda Glisman of Rochester was first runner-up, and Sherry Resigh of Oxford Township was second runner-up.

Thomas will go on to compete in the Ms. Senior America pageant, which will be held in October in Atlantic City at the Resorts Casino Hotel. She also received a crystal crown, red roses, an official Ms. Senior Michigan sash and personalized magnets to stick on her vehicle.

Since 1987, the Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant has celebrated women age 60 and over.

Francine Hachem, director of the Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant, hosted the show, which began with former contestants, current contestants, and Ms. Senior Michigan 2013 Rosaline Contrera Guastella dancing to the “Macarena.”

For the talent portion of the show, Thomas performed the classical piano piece, “The Piano Concerto in A Minor from the first Movement,” a popular work composed by Edvard Grieg in 1868.

Thomas, who was once a fashion model and professional pianist, attended law school at the age of 40. She is now founder of a law firm named after her — the Law Office of Carol M. Thomas. She works alongside her son Jim and her daughter-in-law Daron Kaye.

As a breast cancer survivor, Thomas also lectures on awareness and cancer prevention, has been a regular guest on the Health Line radio, developed workshops to help families connect to their loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s, and performs pro bono legal work regarding senior issues.

As Ms. Senior Michigan, her goal is to help seniors in Michigan prepare for later years in life.

“I take great pride in the fact that I have raised my four children to be successful and happy adults. This has carried over into my everyday life as an Elder Law Attorney where families trust me to counsel them on the difficult issues surrounding Alzheimer’s and other diseases of aging,” she said. “Yes, helping others — families, friends, clients, and strangers — is absolutely the greatest joy of life.”